Handwashing and Nail Hygiene

Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives Visit CDC’s handwashing portal for information and resources on keeping hands clean in a variety of settings. You can share our health promotion materials with families, schools, and patients.

Print-and-Go Fact Sheet

Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. However, if soap and clean water are not accessible, as is common in many parts of the world, use soap and available water or an alcohol-based product containing at least 60% alcohol to clean hands. Appropriate hand hygiene practices include not only washing hands but also keeping fingernails trimmed and clean. This section provides guidance on appropriate handwashing etiquette for the public, the importance of handwashing for families and in corporate settings, appropriate hand washing techniques for health care providers, appropriate use of hand sanitizers, and nail hygiene.

Illustration of a man washing his hands with soap and water